Dearborn in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Ford Rouge Plant

By Joel S., July 20, 2015

1. Ford Rouge Plant Marker

Inscription. Henry Ford began construction of this complex on the banks of the River Rouge in April, 1917. Here, the Ford Motor Company built World War I submarine chasers known as "Eagle" boats. By the mid-1920s this plant was the largest manufacturing center in the world. The transfer of the assembly line from nearby Highland Park to Dearborn in 1927 fulfilled Ford's vision of an industrial complex which encompassed all aspects of automotive production. The first automobile to be completely assembled here, the Model A, was introduced in December, 1927. The Ford Trade School operated at this location for twenty years until 1946. During World War II, massive amounts of materiel for air, amphibious, and land transport were produced. Beginning with raw materials, the Ford Rouge plant makes component parts and assembles vehicles.

Erected 1978 by Michigan History Division, Michigan Department of State and Dearborn Historical Commission. (Marker Number S493.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on July 20, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 269 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on July 20, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 4. submitted on September 22, 2015. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.